The void. A familiar place that you had forgotten, a place you never remembered to return to. A vast darkness where no light could hope to escape. Yet, a light shines through, a gentle radiance that stirs the soul. With that warm glow comes a voice. A voice, serene and fragile. As it speaks, an image comes to life in your mind. The ethereal void reshapes itself into a stage. The curtains pull back.
A story about two magical girls. In the endless expanse, atop a pile of rust and black iron, there were always two. Wind at their back, never compelled to concede. They stride forward down the long, winding path of endless conflict. Never losing hope for as long as they draw breath.
As magical girls, thinking of your own survival above others was only natural. However, these girls were different. In the pain of loss, they made a vow. A vow to never let this happen. Not again. They were never allowed rest nor surrender. What began as an honest wish eventually became a way of life.
They were always alone. They couldn't rest. Even if no one thanked them, even if no one knew, they pushed forward. Understanding was beyond those they worked to help and save. All that was left for them was their goal. Their wishes had been made, their contracts sealed. They toiled to postpone the inevitable.
They would offer help to magical girls in need while also ensuring the safety of their territories. They would fight, train, and carry on in hopes of making a better world. It was at the expense of themselves and their miracles that their hands were stained with blood. As long as they had each other, there was nothing they couldn't accomplish.
Then, two became one. In the pursuit of protecting others, the sister neglected herself. The survivor's soul did not cloud; instead, her heart hardened. What little compassion that remained vanished.
She repeated a mantra after each and every battle. A prayer to an unseen god. Her sister was watching; she was still with her. No matter how many victories, no matter how many losses, she prayed. In the battles to come, she never stopped.
Never look back. Never surrender. For her sake, I'll continue fighting.
The curtain closes with the chime of a bell. The stage vanishes into darkness. A rupturing light cleaves through the abyss.
The dream comes to an abrupt end. Your eyes adjust to the light. What was that? You couldn't make out what you were seeing, or even hearing.
"
Momoka. Don't give up, okay?" That was your sister's voice.
"Momo, hey! Miss Saotome's gonna get on your butt if you don't wake up." No, that grating voice wasn't your sister's.
That was Sayaka.
Drool drips into a pool on your desk. You sit up, wiping your mouth. "Sorry, sorry."
"Didn't get enough sleep, Miss Momo?" Hitomi asks.
"Haven't been sleeping well the past few days." You rub your eyes.
"Momo's been having nightmares," Madoka says.
"Wait, how did you know that? I don't think I've told you anything."
"You get restless when you're having a bad dream." Madoka massages her lower back. You definitely kicked her. Guilt floods your conscience. A habit you thought you had outgrown. Apparently not, and it was as bothersome now as it was then.
"Ahh." Your forehead falls onto the desk. "What am I, seven?"
"You definitely act like it."
"Sayaka, was I asking you?"
"I mean, nobody else is listening."
"I'm going to punch you."
"Momo, Sayaka." Madoka says. "Calm down, okay?"
"Alright." You turn your head.
"So, Hitomi, you said something about some plans after school?" Madoka says.
"Oh, yes. I wanted to take you and Miss Momo out to eat for your birthday."
"Really?" Madoka's eyes light up. "Thank you, Hitomi! So, where are we going?"
"I was thinking about our usual place at the mall, if that's okay."
"Uh, nah. If that's the plan, I think I'm good." Sayaka shoots you a glance.
"I'm with Sayaka. That's not happening. Not now."
"W-what? Did something happen?" Hitomi tilts her head.
"Yeah, you could say that." Sayaka averts her eyes.
"Then… hm." Hitomi contemplates another option. Her brow furrows, her head tilts, then she pounds her hand into her palm. "Oh! What about Récompense? We could pick up a cake there and eat it at my place."
"Well, at that point, why not just wait for the birthday party?" Sayaka laughs.
"I-I suppose that's true." Hitomi mumbles.
"I wouldn't mind." Madoka smiles. "Momo would like the extra cake. She ate both slices that Sayaka brought over, so…"
"Madoka!" You protest.
"What?"
"Don't tell them that."
"Oh, sorry. I didn't think that was a secret." Madoka laughs.
"It isn't." Sayaka corrects her. "I already knew. So, an extra cake isn't a bad idea."
"Hey, I asked you and you said it was okay." You stare at Madoka.
"Come on, getting mad at your sister isn't going to change anything." Sayaka says.
You slump down into her desk. Getting comfortable on what is essentially a diagonal slab of cushion wasn't possible. Instead, you stand up to stretch your legs. "Well, I'm going to have to pass on the cake anyway."
"You don't want to come?" Madoka asks.
"I-it's not that I don't want to come; I just have plans already."
"What?" Hitomi and Sayaka speak in unison. You weren't sure if you should take offense or not.
"I'm going over to a friend's place after school." Your cheeks flush. "I mean, is it really that weird?"
"You did mention that earlier today." Madoka says. "We could still meet up, though, couldn't we?"
"Yeah, I don't plan on sticking around for very long."
You called Momo before heading to school to make arrangements. Apparently, Mami goes to the same school as you do. The plan was to meet up after classes, and she would show you the way to her apartment. That worked out for the best, considering the countless questions that came to mind.
The conversation continued with the plans to head to the cake shop being solidified. You had your own plans, so you left the group as the final bell rang for the day.
"See you later, guys!" You wave to your sister, Sayaka, and Hitomi as they continue down the path.
You wait outside the school gate. Clouds pass by overhead, reflecting off the school's glass panels. You rub your hands together to ward off the dropping temperature. A quick glance at your phone tells you that only five minutes have elapsed. It felt longer than that, especially considering how quickly the school day had ended.
"Miss Kaname?" The girl of the hour arrives.
"Mami, right?"
"Yes. It's nice to formally meet you."
"Same to you."
"Shall we get going?"
"Yeah, lead the way."
Mitakihara Middle was only a stone's throw away from the apartment complex that Mami called home. It was still a few blocks, but it wasn't as long as the walk it took to get here this morning. Less crowded roads, less leaf crunching, and altogether more pleasant. You enter the apartment complex, following after Mami as you ascend the steps. A moment later, you're staring at the nameplate for the Tomoe Residence.
Mami reaches for her keys, but before she can even wrestle with them, the door opens. "Big Sis Mami!" Momo throws herself into Mami's arms.
"Hey." She ruffles her hair. "I brought a present."
"Momoka! Come on, come inside!"
"Ah!" You can't muster the energy to fight against her.
You hear Mami giggling. "So, how long are you staying?"
"Probably an hour, maybe more."
Hardwood lines the apartment from wall to wall. Shelves with organized books and paintings. Potted plants strewn about the house. Not a single speck of dust in sight. You walk over to the back of the room, staring out the window to the veranda. You shove your face up against it, trying to get a better view.
"Miss Kaname."
"Yeah?"
Mami points down.
"Oh, sorry!" You rip your shoes off. "Sorry, was just getting lost in… pretty much everything. This place is massive."
"It's not as big as you'd think." She smiles. "I'll get the tea brewing. Do you have a preference, Miss Kaname?"
You leave your shoes at the doorway. "No, I'll drink whatever you give me."
"Alright." Mami says, venturing into the kitchen. "Did you want anything to eat?" She pokes her head out.
"I'm meeting my sister here in a while, so I shouldn't eat anything."
"Are you sure?"
"... I'll have something small."
Mami grins, pulling her head back behind the wall.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Momo drops down onto her cushion seat.
You join Momo at the table. "Well…"
There were a few things you wanted to discuss, but most of all…
[_] The relationship between Mami and Kyouko.
[_] How Momo came to live here with Mami.
[_] How Momo felt about Mami and Kyouko being magical girls.
[_] Write-in
